Native Wetland Plants

Native plants are always the best choice for use in landscapes, restoration projects, storm water projects, and naturalized areas. Aquascapes Unlimited’s seed sown local ecotype species add natural wildlife benefits, promote biodiversity, and oftentimes require less maintenance in terms of fertilizers and pesticides. Plug trays can be shipped via UPS.

A Wetland Planting Guide is available in the "About us" portion of the website.

Acorus americanus, native sweetflag, has aromatic foliage, similar to Iris in shape, yet unpalatable to geese and deer. Sweetflag spreads moderately from a thick rhizome forming a dense mat along pond shores and stre...

Alisma subcordatum, water plantain, is a clump forming seed colonizer which thrives in permanently inundated quiet water. Water plantain becomes recognizable early in the growing season with its submerged strap ...

The only moisture loving Andropogon glomeratus, bushy beard, is usually found growing in low lying marshes and swamps of the eastern coastal plain of the United States. Andropogon glomeratus is a narrow blue/green leaf in the summer followed ...

Common in the Northeast, Andropogon virginicus, broomsedge, is a native clumping warm season grass that grows best in relatively infertile soil conditions which makes it a great choice for the dry compacted banks of stormwater basin...

Aster novae-angliae, New England aster, is one of the most attractive and common asters that thrives in moist full sun meadows. From mid August through October, New England aster produces numerous flowers ranging in color from pale lavender t...

Calamagrostis canadensis, Canada bluejoint, is one of our cool season grasses. Canada bluejoint is found growing strong along pond shores and in open wet meadows of New England. It forms slender inflorescence in June whi...

Caltha palustris, Marsh marigold, is one of the earliest blooming spring ephemerals in a wetland. Marsh marigold's heart shaped shiny foliage emerges in March and almost overnight is topped with bright yellow buttercup li...

Carex crinata, Fringed sedge, is a common sedge of cooler northern climates. Fringed sedge is named for its slender drooping seed heads that are present from June through July. It stands at 3-4’ tall....

Carex hystericina, Porcupine sedge, is named for its spiky seed head which resembles a porcupine. Porcupine sedge spreads moderately from short rhizomes in full sun to partial shade. Its foliage is light green i...

Carex lacustris, Lake bank sedge, is a rapidly spreading rhizomatous plant and a great soil stabilizer for an area with full sun. Lake bank sedge has very upright blue-green foliage and blooms in early to mid summer. G...

Carex lurida, Lurid sedge, is a versatile lower growing sedge that forms dense tufted colonies in full sun and loose patches in the shade. Carex lurida is a great plant for soil stabilization along pond and stream banks...

Carex stricta, Tussock sedge, is one of the most elegant, fine textured sedges. Tussock sedge gracefully arches giving it the appearance of fountain grass. It will form dense tussocks rising above the waterline. Tussock s...

Carex vulpinoidea, Fox sedge, is aptly named for its fox tail like seed head. Fox sedge, is a tough versatile plant that lends itself well to most wetland restoration projects. Like Tussock sedge, Fox sedge has...

Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush, is one of the most important native shrubs for helping to preserve water quality and for enhancing wildlife habitat. The extensive fibrous root system of buttonbush pulls nutrie...

Chelone glabra, White turtle head, is a deer resistant perennial perfect for shaded or woodland gardens with moist soil. Striking white snapdragon like flowers are a great addition to the garden in late...

Cinna arundinacea, Wood reedgrass, is a strong competitor against Japanese stilt grass! The attractive Wood reedgrass grows well in fertile moist soil with light shade or dappled sunlight. Most growth occurs during the Summ...

Decodon verticillatus, Water willow, is a perennial herb with a woody base at the bottom of its arching leafy stems. Decodon verticillatus is often found on the edges of standing water, lazy streams or marshy swamp...

Eleocharis acicularis, Least spikerush, is a perennial with smooth round solid stems which form an oval spike flower on the tips. Just under 1' tall, it can be grown individually or in nice tight clusters along shorelines ...

Eleocharis obtusa, Spike rush, is typically one of the first colonizers of a freshly dug storm water basin or pond. Eleocharis obtusa forms attractive lime green clumps 1' tall topped with a blunt dark brown seed head in mid...

Eleocharis parvula, Dwarf spikerush, is a perennial with smooth round solid stems which form an oval spike flower on the tips. Just under 3" tall, Dwarf spikerush can be grown individually or in nice tight clusters al...

Eleocharis quadrangulata, Four squarerush, is a PA endangered plant. Four squarerush has a distinct four sided stem which is dark green in color. With an elegant simplicity, this 2-3' tall rush grows in...

Elymus hystrix, Bottle brush grass, grows in a wide range of soil conditions including heavy clay with dry to medium hydrology. Bottle brush grass can take a variety of light conditions from full sun to part shade. I...

Elymus riparius, Riverbank wild rye, is aptly named for its utility when doing streambank or riverbank rehabilitation. This perennial cool season grass is good for erosion control in moist areas. Riverbank wild rye has...

Elymus virginicus or Virginia wild rye is a versatile shade tolerant cool season grass which grows just over 3' tall and offers great perennial competition against Japanese stiltgrass. The slightly drooping seed heads...

Equisetum hyemale, Horsetail, spreads from creeping rhizomes in an extremely wide range of soils from full sun to part shade. Growing 3-5' tall in dense dark green colonies this is a great choice for moist low spots where nothing else wil...

Eupatorium fistulosum, Joe pye weed, is a 6-8' tall yet graceful plant which prefers moist areas and has a tolerance for a variety of soils. A staple in any rain or butterfly garden this plant will attract loads of be...

Eupatorium perfoliatum, Boneset, is one of the most widespread of our native wetland wildflowers. It prefers wet to damp areas of the wetland margin. While tolerant of flooding, it is not usually found growing in water but is very co...

Hibiscus moscheutos, Swamp rose-mallow, is a fast growing cold-hardy plant. Striking when grown in colonies in average to moist soil in wetlands, on pond edges and along streambanks. Growing 4-6' tall in full sun, Sw...

Hippuris vulgaris, Mare's tail, has the appearance of a pleasant green bottlebrush growing in patches found primarily in the shallow areas of ponds, lakes, streams or any wet muddy shore where water levels fluctuate. The flowers of Hi...

Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, Pennywort, is a quick colonizer producing a nice thick mass of scalloped 2-inch leaves growing from running rhizomes in full sun to part shade. Pennywort has relatively insignificant small powder puff...

Iris fulva, Copper iris, has arching bright green leaves growing from shallowly rooted compact rhizomes that can form large clumps. Copper iris is the perfect plant for moist to wet soils in full sun but also to...

Juncus canadensis, Canada rush, grows well in swampy meadows, boggy sites, and pond margins. Growing from 1-2' tall, the inflorescence of Canada rush branches from a single point on the stem from July ...

Juncus effusus, Soft rush, is a striking perennial wetland plant that grows up to 3' tall in full sun to part shade. The bright green cylindrical stems of Juncus effusus are fairly soft. Stems taper to a bristle and r...

Juncus gerardii, Saltmeadow rush, is a perennial wetland plant that grows on tide lines and along waterways from vigorous rhizomes forming small upright stands just over 1' tall. The rigid stems of Saltmeado...

Justicia americana, Water willow, grows from creeping rhizomes in large dense colonies submerged along the shorelines of lakes, ponds, and standing water. The hardiest of the Justicia species, the Water willow grows 1-2' t...

Leersia oryzoides, Rice cut grass, is a rhizomatous perennial grass growing from 2-4' tall. The leaves of Rice cut grass form a very rough minutely toothed edge that makes it unpalatable to many herbivore mammals...

Lobelia cardinalis, Cardinal Flower, is a relatively short-lived herbaceous perennial that grows in nice clumps from 2-3' tall and less than 1' in diameter. The stems and leaves of Cardinal Flower have a soft purplish tin...

Lobelia syphilitica, Great blue lobelia, is an herbaceous perennial that grows in nice clumps from 1-3' tall. The upright stems of Great blue lobelia produce a striking blue flower head which creates a wonderful ...

Ludwigia palustris, Marsh Purslane, is a creeping aquatic perennial that grows along shorelines, in shallow water, and moist soils. The leaves of Marsh Purslane are highly variable in color, from green to slightly red-tin...

Menyanthes trifoliata, Bogbean, grows in spongy bogs, marshes and shallow water along pond edges. The fleshy green leaves of Menyanthes trifoliata pop out of the water giving way to a perfect little white flowers with tiny elegant hairs ...

Mimulus ringens, Monkey Flower, produces deep to pale blue to lavender colored flowers with an attractive yellow center. It's named for the flower's resemblance to a monkey's face. The flowers of Mimulus ringens are about an inch a...

Spatterdock is a member of the native floating leaf aquatic community. Nuphar occurs in quiet back waters along tidal creeks and rivers as well as inland ponds and swamps. It has a oval heart shaped leaves that provide cover and shade for...

The Fragrant Water lily is one of the most commonly seen water plants. Its natural range is from Newfoundland to the Great lakes, south including Missouri, and Kansas and down to Florida and Texas. Nymphaea odorata is tolerant of a wide p...

Onoclea sensibilis, Sensitive fern, is commonly found at the sunny edge of a wet woodland. Once established this rhizomatous fern creates wonderfully textured colonies of lime green. A mature plant can spread up to 10” per year with...

Orontium aquaticum, Golden Club, is a striking aquatic plant. Golden Club has bright yellow flower clusters (spadix) at the tips. Blooming in April-June Orontium aquaticum is one of the first plants...

Osmunda regalis, Royal Fern, adds an elegant and royal appearance to any water garden. Like its cousin the Cinnamon Fern it likes its feet wet and ankles dry and will form its own island like tussock as it matures. Osmunda regalis

Phyla lanceolata, Northern Frogfruit, is found in wet soils and is particularly common in moist forests, stream banks, and along the shores of rivers and lakes. Its square stem grows from 6"-2'. Small white flowers of Phyla...

Physostegia virginiana, Obedient plant, gets its name from an unusual trait, when you turn the flowers by pushing them sideways, they stay there. Pink forms are more common, but a white form is shown here. The plant's...

Polygonum amphibium, Water Smartweed, is a sprawling perennial with willow-like leaves, reddish stems, and clusters of small flowers found in shallow water along the margins of lakes, ponds, and streams. The rhizomes of Polygonum a...

Pontederia cordata, Pickerelweed, is a common sight in quiet fresh water areas. Shallow water is the habitat for this beautiful species. The native forms are usually shades of blue-purple, but we also have the uncommon white f...

Proserpinaca palustris, water Mermaid, is a native perennial found in swamps, marshes, shores, and ephemeral woodland ponds. When above the waterline, Water Mermaid exhibits leaves that resemble rosemary with serrated ed...

Ranunculus flammula, Creeping Spearwort, is found in wet soils and is particularly common in moist forests, stream banks, and along the shores of rivers, ponds and lakes. Ranunculus flammula is a low growing perennial that pro...

Rudbeckia hirta, Black-eyed Susan, grows in moist to dry soil and next to ponds in full sun to part shade. Although Black-eyed Susan tolerates hot and humid summers quite well, it will not do well in severe drought conditi...

Rudbeckia laciniata, Green headed Coneflower, grows in moist soils in rich woodlands, thickets or along streams and next to ponds in full sun to part shade. Although it tolerates hot and humid summers quite well, it will not do well in severe...

Sagittaria latifolia, Duck potato, is a vigorous aquatic perennial that typically grows 2-4’ tall. Known for its arrowhead-shaped leaves, Sagittaria latifolia commonly grows submerged in shallow water or out of water on ...

Sagittaria rigida, Grass Leaf Arrowhead, is found in swamps, bogs, marshes, and shallow waters in both mud and sandy soils. The arrow-shaped long thin foliage grows to 2' tall above the water line in sun to partial shade with small...

Saururus cernuus, Lizard's Tail, is a colonizing perennial with fibrous rhizomes which grows along the edges of ponds, swamps and marshes in sun to part shade. The distinctive heart shaped leaves grow above the water...

Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem, is a warm season, clump forming plant which prefers full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Its green foliage grows 4' tall and flowers from July to September. The purplish/...

Scirpus acutus, Hard Stem Bulrush, is a rhizomatous species that forms dense colonies that provide wonderful cover for waterfowl and spawning fish. Scirpus acutus will grow from 0-1’ of water and is used to stabilize pond...

Scirpus americanus, Three Square Rush, is a rhizomatous species that forms loose colonies growing 3-4’ tall. Scirpus americanus has a medium spread rate and is a great stabilizer of pond banks and river banks. Three Square Rush provides exce...

Scirpus atrovirens, Green Bulrush, is a broad leaf rush common to wet meadows and swales. Scirpus atrovirens thrives in full sun to partial and blooms from mid June to late July with attractive dark brown almost black inflorescence. Gre...

Scirpus cyperinus, Woolgrass, gets its name from its fluffy ornamental inflorescence which stands at 4-5’and blooms from late July to early September. Scirpus cyperinus is a clump forming fine textured broad leaf rush that is common in...

Scirpus fluviatilis, River Bulrush, is a rhizomatous species that forms very large colonies rather quickly. The thick stems of Scirpus fluviatilis stand 5-7’ tall and bloom in late July to mid August. Scirpus fluviatilis prov...

Scirpus tabermontanii, Soft Stem Bulrush, is a rhizomatous species that forms dense colonies and provides excellent cover for waterfowl and spawning fish. It grows 4-5’ tall and blooms in June-July. Scirpus tabermontanii is common...

Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Blue-Eyed Grass, grows in moist, well-drained soil in damp open woods, slopes, and along stream banks in full sun to part shade. Despite its grass-like foliage, the Blue-Eyed Grass belongs to the i...

Solidago rugosa, Wrinkled Leaf Goldenrod, is a spectacular member of the Aster family. Wrinkled Leaf Goldenrod explodes with yellow color to bring a naturalized brilliance to any wetland restoration project. Th...

Sorghastrum nutans, Indiangrass, is widely used in large scale roadside plantings, revegetation projects, prairie restorations, and many different types of erosion control projects because it grows well on disturbed sites and produ...

Sparganium americanum, Lesser bur-reed, is one of several native species of this distinctive native plant. Though looking like grasses or sedges, they are neither, being in their own family (Sparganiaceae). Sparganium american...

Not only are Sparganium eurycarpum, Greater bur-reed, good for providing food and habitat for wildlife, these plants are also extremely useful for improving and maintaining water quality by absorbing nutrients and st...

Typha angustifolia, Narrow Leaf Cattails, are one of the most important native wetland plants, providing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and providing food for wildlife. In fact, Euell Gibbons called Cattails the "Superma...

Typha latifolia, Broad Leaf Cattails, are one of the most important native wetland plants, providing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and providing food for wildlife. In fact, Euell Gibbons called Cattails the "Supermarket...

Verbena hastata, Blue Vervain, can be found in a variety if habitats including moist prairies & meadows, floodplain woodlands, moist thickets, along borders of rivers and ponds, marshes, moist basins and ditches. Verbena h...

Vernonia noveboracensis, Ironweed, prefers rich, moist soils but it tolerates a wide range of soils making it great plant to use in naturalized areas or meadows looking for a subtle dab of purple bloom from its numerous tiny, fluff...

Zizania aquatica, Wild Rice, is a native grass found in marshes, pond edges, lakes, and rivers has an extremely branched inflorescence which produces edible grains for humans and wildlife. Although Wild Rice grows 8-10' tall, the s...

Zizia aurea, Golden Alexander, is a native perennial which is found growing in small colonies in moist woods and meadows, swamps, thickets, riverbanks and prairies. Zizia aurea grows 1-2' tall in nice tight clumps about 12" in diam...